The Office of Consumer Protection at the National Credit Union Administration has chartered Thrivent Federal Credit Union, which took over the assets and liabilities formerly held by Thrivent Financial Bank.

Commercial real estate investors have suffered plenty of headaches in the last four years, but borrowing costs weren’t one of them — especially in recent months. But those interest rates aren’t going any lower, industry participants say.

Associated has added four offices in this region since early 2011 and has ramped up its roster of commercial and commercial real estate lenders with the target of winning a greater banking share in its region’s second largest financial market.

Insurance rating agency A.M. Best Co. recently affirmed the financial strength rating of A++, its top grade, for Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Best also maintained its aa+ issuer credit rating for the Minneapolis-based insurer, the agency’s second rank. The outlook for all ratings is stable.